Thermostat | Air Conditioning Katy, TX
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thermostat maintains your home’scomfort, and assists in controlling energy usage, by managing when the unit willrun and shut off. Having the right thermostat maximizes its efficiency andperformance. The selection will depend on the type of heating and airconditioning in Katy, TX installed, and the features you need.
Identifying the Heating and Cooling System Type
Before selecting a thermostat, ensure it iscompatible with the home’s heating and
air conditioning in Katy, TX. Ifyou feel uncertain, a Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning technician can provideassistance, and a professional installation ensuring its proper function. Selecting the Thermostat Type
The following provides a brief overview ofeach type of thermostat. Contact our certified
HVAC technicians forfurther information. Learning Thermostats
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learning thermostat is programmable,although it learns based on the selected preferences. They can adjust thethermostat when family members are away, guide you to energy-efficient settings,provide an alert for a dirty filter or system service, and provide monthlyenergy reports. They connect to the home’s Wi-Fi network and can be monitored,set and managed remotely from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Remote Management
Remote management means the ability to set,program and monitor your heating and
air conditioning in Katy, TX froma computer, smartphone, or tablet. The thermostat connects through a hub to thehome network, allowing access via Wi-Fi from anywhere. Programmable Thermostat
The
HVACsystem relies on the thermostat to control its operation, and is only asprecise as the equipment controlling it. Programmablethermostats enable the setting of different temperatures for differenttimes of day. That means not getting out of bed when you forget to adjust thetemperature, or using unnecessary energy when you forget to adjust it beforeleaving in the morning.
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programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature accordingto the schedule and settings you have programmed. Once programmed, it controlsthe heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX. By eliminating forgottentemperature adjustments, and providing consistency in temperature control,saving money with lower energy bills. Digital Thermostat
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digital thermostat provides an excellent option for people whoprefer manually controlled settings for their home’s heating and airconditioning in Katy, TX. The digital offers the convenience of an LCDdisplay, and the accuracy of digital technology. ManualThermostat
With a manual thermostat, you control the temperature setting manually.The manual provides a solution for those who are home often and prefer not toadjust the temperature often
. Available Types 7-Day
The 7-day thermostat allows the programming of up to four temperatureadjustments for each day. The 7-day provides an ideal option for those withbusy schedules.
5-1-1 Day
This selection enables you to program up to four temperature adjustments duringthe weekdays, and different settings for Saturday and Sunday. The 5-1-1 optionaccommodates the schedule of those who work a routine Monday through Friday schedule,and prefer flexibility for the weekend.
5-2 Day
This option allows up to four temperature settings for the weekdays and allowsa different schedule for the weekend.
1 Week
This option provides programming for the entire week.
The idealthermostat for your home’s heating and
air conditioning in Katy, TX is the one that you are comfortable using, and that provides the levelof control you want, while being compatible with the home’s heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX.
CypressHeating and Air Conditioning
thermostat to suit your needs and HVAC system. Our certified HVAC technicians provide thermostat replacement, andinstallation with new systems. Our professionals will ensure a proper thermostat installation, providing thegreatest energy efficiency possible. Furthermore, we will provide the instructionneeded to ensure you understand how to operate it, providing the greatest possiblebenefit out of the HVAC system.
Cypress Heating and Air Conditioningoffers experienced, and certified professional
HVAC technicians for your heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX needs. As a Carrier dealer, ourtechnicians are not only required to be competent in the HVAC field, but alsoto excel in the HVAC industry demonstrating professional expertise. We install,replace, repair, and provide maintenance to quality Carrier HVAC equipment, andall other brands. Contact us to schedule thermostatservices and other heating and airconditioning needs. We offer 24-hour HVAC services for emergency’s, andpartner with Wells Fargo for financing your immediate needs. Cypress Heatingand Air Conditioning professionals are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating,and serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas.


Throughout a decade with the U.S. Geological Survey as a researcher studying landscape dynamics, Christian used geographic information systems (GISs) and remote sensing to map, quantify, and visualize land cover change and the associated driving forces and consequences. This experience led to his realization of the value and importance of the effective use of geospatial technologies, and his move to consulting 15 years ago has since provided ample opportunities to apply these evolving data-centric approaches.
As Haley & Aldrich’s leader of data, visualization, and design, Christian focuses on the development, implementation, and widespread use of analysis and visualization approaches that maximize the value of our clients’ environmental, geotechnical, and monitoring data. Christian’s work reflects his belief that a well-planned, disciplined approach to data is key to synthesizing our scientific understanding of our advancing database, geospatial, and design resources and expertise.


CDC Updates Guidance on Masking
Submitted to OnFocus – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced updates to its mask guidelines.
The CDC’s updated guidance now recommends that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks in public indoor settings when in areas with high or substantial transmission of COVID-19. Over 60% of U.S. counties have high or substantial transmission of COVID-19, according to CDC data. The guidelines also recommend masks be worn by all individuals in K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status.
In addition, the CDC encourages community leaders to promote vaccination and mask-wearing as preventive measures against COVID-19.
This update from the CDC is, in part, a reversal from previous agency guidance, which allowed fully vaccinated individuals to stop wearing a mask in most settings.
According to CDC data, Delta is currently the most common variant of the coronavirus in the United States by a significant margin, accounting for over 80% of COVID-19 cases. Although COVID-19 vaccines are largely effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, some cases of Delta have been found to be contagious, even for fully vaccinated individuals.
The CDC has expressed that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting against the Delta variant, and they have been found to reduce the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalization and death.
This guidance from the CDC is not legally binding. As such, it is up to states and local officials to establish their own mask rules.
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected] !


Our Annual Membership surveys aim to evaluate and improve our advocacy for young people affected by homelessness, and the sector that supports them.
Each year, Yfoundations surveys our membership and other stakeholders about the issues they believe are affecting young people experiencing homelessness. This helps inform our projects and activities in the coming year.
We also ask them about how they perceive the work of Yfoundations, which informs how we can improve our impact and better engage with members.
These reports summarise the findings from the survey responses and outline steps we can take to improve our membership offerings and guide our organisational priorities in the future.


Waiting for Power
“And while staying
[a] with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father” Acts 1:4
We are often driven to seek authority to make changes in the world around us. Whether the changes we seek are in our homes, in our churches, in our communities, or in the world at large. We strive, we grasp, we rant. In the end, we find ourselves tired, discouraged and exhausted. Or worse, we succumb to seeking the powers of the world in order to obtain the authority we think we need.
Christ was clear about the order of events that we as Christians must abide by. First we wait on the promise of the Father. God reveals to each of us, through our passions, through our knowledge, through our communities, the purpose He has chosen to suit the unique person He created each of us to be. Yet, it cannot be our passions, knowledge, or friendships that powers the work He has prepared for us.
If we rely on our own understanding and our own power, no matter the authority that we achieve, ultimately we will fail to accomplish our purposes. Instead, we prepare ourselves to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. We should spend time each day in study, fellowship, and prayer. We should maintain our focus on God. And we should trust that when His time has come for us to act, He will provide the power to bring about the perfect execution of His plans. Be blessed and be a blessing.
Prayer
Father, we often get excited when we catch glimpses of Your plans for us. We run ahead, seeking ways to bring those plans about. In our rush, we get caught in the worldly lust for authority, or we get frustrated by our failure to achieve the goals we think are needed to fulfill Your plans. Open our hearts to the patience of Your Spirit. Prepare us to become vessels of Your power. And fill us with the joy of knowing Your promises always come at the perfect time. In the name of the one who taught us to wait, Jesus Christ, Amen.


Abstract
We consider strongly confined, stably stratified shear flows generated as a lock exchange in a tube inclined at an angle of theta = 45 degrees. This paper focuses on a transitional regime, in which the flow alternates between two distinct states: laminar, parallel shear flow and intense transverse motion characteristic of turbulence. Laminar-turbulent cycles were captured at Atwood numbers At equivalent to (rho(2) - rho(1))/(rho(1) + rho(2)) ranging from 2.45 x 10(-3) to 4.0 x 10(-3), where (rho(1),rho(2)) are the initial densities of the two fluids, with multiple cycles observed at At = 2.55 x 10(-3). The evolution of the density and velocity fields in these flows was measured simultaneously using laser-induced fluorescence and particle image velocimetry. During each laminar-turbulent cycle, the axial velocity exhibits a distinctive ramp-cliff pattern, indicating that the flow accelerates as it relaminarizes, then decelerates rapidly as the Kelvin-Helmholtz billows break down. Within the range of experimental conditions, transverse stratification does not directly determine the onset of instability. Instead, the data suggest that a necessary criterion for the onset of instability is for the local Reynolds number to exceed 2200, with only a weak dependence on the Richardson number.
Original language English Article number 066308 Number of pages 9 Journal Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear and Soft Matter Physics Volume 85 Issue number 6 DOIs Publication status Published - 11 Jun 2012


ActionAid welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to Treasury on the 2022-2023 Federal Budget. Australia has played an important leadership role over the last two years in supporting COVID-19 response efforts across our region. Temporary aid increases have provided crucial resources for health and economic response and recovery initiatives. New funding for Pacific Women Lead was also vital in ensuring Australia continues to contribute to progressing gender equality across the Pacific region.
However, two years into the pandemic, the new Omicron variant is devastating communities around the world and extreme poverty is rising for the first time in 20 years (1). Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic, compounding an alarming deterioration in gender equality that is threatening hard won women’s rights gains. The situation facing developing countries is heightened by the rapidly escalating climate crisis, which is threatening lives and livelihoods, particularly across the Pacific region, highlighting an urgent need for a new ambition on financing for emission reduction and the adaptation efforts of developing countries.
In this context, the need for wealthy countries like Australia to step up their development assistance remains urgent. The 2022-23 budget provides a crucial opportunity for Australia to rise to this challenge, including by providing critical finance to support global vaccine equity. By standing with developing countries across our region and globally, Australia can play a crucial role in ensuring that we all build back better from COVID-19 and work together to create a more equal and resilient global community. ActionAid calls on the Government to:
Expand Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in line with growing need and to meet our international obligations. Provide leadership on gender equality regionally and internationally through targeted policies and scaled-up investment in women-led development and humanitarian responses, and resourcing of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Increase Australia’s climate finance commitment to enable developing countries to respond to the escalating impacts of the climate crisis. Expand support for fragile and conflict affected States. Improve transparency by developing gender responsive budgets across all portfolios.


A living trust is a form of estate planning that owns the property you transfer into it during your lifetime. When you pass away, the trust distributes all assets to your beneficiaries. You may be able to create your living trust by yourself and save money, but working with a trust attorney in Tampa makes the most sense in some situations.
When should you consider hiring a trust attorney?
You may be wondering whether you should use a living trust attorney. If you have a unique situation or are overwhelmed with a large estate, hiring a living trust lawyer can definitely help you create a complicated living trust or answer any questions you have.
You should consider hiring an attorney if you find yourself in any of the following situations or circumstances:
You need advice about funding the trust Your net worth is close to the estate tax exemption You want to add complicated conditions that dictate when and how your beneficiaries receive assets
Hiring an attorney to create a trust will cost you. However, paying the upfront cost for sound legal advice and a living trust can benefit you and your loved ones down the road.
Even if you decide to create your own living trust, you should consider speaking with an attorney or having them review it. But before you question whether you need a lawyer, you should make sure you understand the ins and outs of a trust and whether you need one.
What is a trust?
Creating a trust allows you to say how you want your property and assets distributed after you die while maintaining some control over your property while you are still alive. Depending on your assets and family situation, a trust can be easy to create or very complicated.
To create a trust, you will need to draft a trust document. It helps ensure your property is distributed to your loved ones according to your wishes.
How is a living trust different?
A living trust is a type of trust created during your life to save tax money or establish a long-term way to manage your property. They are specifically designed to avoid probate after someone passes away and safeguards financial privacy.
When should you create a trust?
There are some instances when you may not need to create a trust. If you do not own significant assets, are single, have no children, or rent your home or apartment, you likely won’t need a trust.
On the other hand, if you have children that are minors or with special needs, creating a trust can be useful.
Other reasons you should consider creating a trust include:
Avoiding the probate process when you pass Protecting your assets for your children Reducing estate taxes Managing assets
While most people do not need to worry about estate taxes, a few states have inheritance taxes. The federal government only assesses taxes on estates with significant assets. However, federal laws do change from time to time which is why speaking with a trust attorney can be beneficial.
Plan for your future by hiring a trust attorney in Tampa
You can easily get help planning your living trust with the help of an attorney like Anthony Candela. At
Candela Law Firm, we’re confident we can protect your family and assets and create as smooth of an administration process as possible. For a free consultation, get in touch with us now.


What is Customer Engagement?
Customer engagement, a term that has gained a lot of traction among online firms lately, is a measurement of how frequently a brand interacts with its customers during its whole lifecycle. Customers may help brands develop and strengthen a “human-to-human” connection with them and contribute value outside of purely transactional partnerships by consistently engaging with them across a range of media.
Customer interaction inevitably takes center stage as more companies choose the customer-centric approach when creating their marketing strategy to create top-of-mind awareness and accomplish the desired inbound growth.
Understanding Engagement Obstacles
For a company to achieve success, it must close the gap between customer experiencesand expectations. A lot of companies speak of being customer-centric but fail to implement practices that satisfy their customers. The best customer service is one that is effortless and offers a personal touch. Companies that follow these principles gain a considerable advantage over their competitors who fail to do so.
Here are five engagement obstacles that might prevent a company from achieving true customer service success.
Misunderstand customer expectations:
Do you know what your customers want? Failing to understand the exact expectations might prevent your company from building a customer-centric culture that will eventually win loyalty. A company must take out time to analyze customers’ behavior and determine what they want from you and ask them directly in case of doubts. Ensure that your proposed technology /solution/goods and service is making customers’ lives easier.
Convergytics Solution: Following a methodology to give customers space to express their views, acknowledge their emotional state, understand their viewpoints by paraphrasing, and explain their Pros and Cons. Lack of transparency and clarity:
Unclear company policies may lead to confusion and frustration among customers. Customers will certainly leave your company if vague information costs them money and time. Employees must be well-trained and kept up to date about all policies to relay consistent information. The bottom line here is that customers need to trust you, and clarity is key to earning this trust.
Convergytics Solution: Using clear and concise communications, being radically transparent, allowing two-way dialogue with customers, and not incusing any Hidden Costs during the lifecycle of the project. Weak omnichannel engagement
Every company must employ an omnichannel approach to optimizing customer engagement. For example, your customers might prefer to contact you via call more than email or social media. However, if your service agents are not quick to respond on these channels, you are not meeting customer expectations and likely losing customers. Be prompt on all channels and identify if your company needs more agents.
Convergytics Solution: Understand the impact of user satisfaction across channels on various contact reasons for customer loyalty. Carrying Engagement journey mapping to determine cause & effect between different engagement channels. Failure to deliver as promised
TRUST is everything for better customer engagement. If your company is promising something to its customer, stick with it. Be careful with what you promise, both over-commitment and under-commitment can put your efforts in vain. First, focus on delivering exactly what you have promised, and then make efforts to go out of the box when the opportunity arises.
Convergytics Solution: Anticipating areas prone to breakdown and handling them as needed and keeping the clients updated and informed, analysing the problem, fixing it, and establishing the learning points. A shorter time to resolution is the key. Not using all available feedback and data for improvements
To offer the best service, solicit the feedback of both customers and employees. Project success depends on your ability to ask thoughtful questions and look at every aspect of your service at the micro level. Listen carefully to your customers and engage them in a meaningful way, your company will earn their trust and gain success.
Convergytics Solution: Carrying out Customer satisfaction analysis to deliver actionable insights. Create a dynamic and real-time customer journey activation strategy to enhance the experience
Overcoming the barriers to customer engagement might be challenging, but no doubt it is necessary when companies that improve their CX see increased revenue and report cost savings.


Belgium’s financial regulatory body has confirmed its position that Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and other cryptocurrencies that are issued solely by computer code do not constitute securities.The explanation came from Belgium's Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) in a Nov.
22 report, a draft of which was opened for comment in Jul. 2022. The clarification comes following an increase in demands for answers as to how Belgium’s existing financial laws and regulations apply to digital assets, according to the FSMA.While not legally binding under Belgium or European Union law, the FSMA stated that under its “stepwise plan,” cryptocurrencies would be classed as a security if it was issued by an individual or entity”:The Belgian regulatory body noted that cryptocurrencies which are not categorized as securities may still be subject to other regulations if a company uses the digital asset as a medium of exchange:FSMA also noted that its stepwise plan is neutral to the technology — suggesting that it’s irrelevant whether digital assets exist and are facilitated on a blockchain or through other traditional means.
The FSMA first drafted the report in Jul. 2022 as a means to address frequently asked questions by Belgian-based issuers, offerers and service providers of digital assets.
FSMA stated that the stepwise plan would serve as a guideline until the European Parliament’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) is adopted, which is expected to take effect at the start of 2024..
Related: Not taking the time to learn about BTC is ‘Europe’s biggest risk,’ says Belgian MPBelgium’s clear guidelines are in contrast to the “regulation by enforcement” approach taken by the U.S.


نویسندگان چکیده کلیدواژهها عنوان مقاله [English] نویسندگان [English] Objective The fast technological change and increasing intensity of competitive environment have led to different types of innovation, including product and process innovation. However, this does not to guarantee firms’ success unless they adopt a holistic approach to innovation through business model innovation (BMI). As imitating BMI is not easy for competitors, it’s an efficient business experiment to attain a sustainable competitive advantage. By reviewing the existing literature on BMI, we concluded that one of the notable overlooked research streams is the analysis of BMI impact on firms’ performance. In this regard, this paper investigates the impact of BMI and its four dimensions (product, process, organizational and marketing innovation) on the performance of the tenants (firms) located at the Sharif Science and Technology (S&T) Park and highlights the moderating effect of networking and knowledge-based status of tenants. Methodology The statistical population of this research includes firms located at the Sharif S&T Park which are 70 as of the summer 2020. Data to test our hypotheses was gathered by distributing questionnaires - formulated through the literature review and the Community Innovation Survey’s questionnaire - in the fall and summer of 2020. Among the filled questionnaires 59 ones were consideres as the basis for our statistical analysis. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis to test our hypotheses by SmartPLS3 software. Validity and reliability of constructs were also verified by Cronbach’s Alpha, composite reliability and average variance. Findings The obtained results proved the positive and significant impact of BMI on the tenants’ performance. Among BMI’s dimensions, product and marketing innovation had also significant positive effect on the tenants’ performance. On the other hand, the impact of process and organizational innovation on the tenants’ performance was not significant and these two hypotheses were accordingly rejected. Besides, the positive, significant, and moderating impact of both moderators were confirmed. Conclusion Our contribution involves analyzing BMI in overlooked S&T park tenants which are small and newly established firms. In the academic literature, research on BMI is dominantly focused on large firms. Therefore, research on BMI in tenants is another novel aspect of this paper. Studied firms, Sharif S&T Park tenants, are generally small and dedicate most of their resources to product innovation; however, they neglect process and organizational innovation. Insignificant impact of process and organizational innovation on performance implies that tenants’ capabilities should be strengthened in these BMI dimensions. As our findings suggests, Sharif S&T Park tenants’ performance is not influenced by process and organizational innovation. Despite due to the limitations on generalization the achieved results, this paper provides theoretical and managerial implications to both tenants and the managers to reinforce BMI and its dimensions, particularly, process and organizational innovation of tenants. کلیدواژهها [English]


Cognitive decline is a common feature of aging. Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle factor that has been identified as positively impacting cognitive health of older adults. Here, we review the current evidence from epidemiological (i.e., longitudinal cohort) and intervention studies on the role of physical activity and exercise in promoting cognitive health in older adults both with and without cognitive impairment. We highlight some of the potential underlying mechanisms and discuss some of the potential modifying factors, including exercise type and target population, by reviewing recent converging behavioral, neuroimaging, and biomarker evidence linking physical activity with cognitive health. We conclude with limitations and future directions for this rapidly expanding line of research.


While elder law and estate planning are often used interchangeably, there are important differences between the two. While some overlap exists between the two, learning and implementing strategies from both law practice types is crucial to prepare for successful aging and preserve a family legacy. Estate planning lets families: Name guardians for minor children Manage […]
The Combination of Estate Planning and Elder Law Equals Life Care Planning


The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that the Philippines can benefit from the massive globalization that is expected post-pandemic, with the local Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry remaining intact.
During the launch of the Asian Economic Integration Report (AEIR) 2021, DB Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department Director for Regional Cooperation and Integration Cyn-Young Park said, “I do believe that the Philippines has a strong potential given that its post-pandemic trade landscape will give more weight on the digital and services trade.”
The said report also stated that Southeast Asia remained the most integrated subregion across Asia-Pacific, driven by trade, investments and migration of people. ADB noted that SEA economies could record an 8.4% annual gain if the digital sector expands by 20 per cent by 2025.


After warning subscribers repeatedly over the past few months that stock prices in general likely would trend lower during the ensuing months, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by a whopping 879 points (3.4%), while the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index also fell by 3.4% and the small-cap Russell 2000 Index declined by 4.6% over the two days ended December 6.
That’s after stocks peaked on October 3 of this year, a likelihood of which I warned subscribers in both the August and September editions of Small-Cap Profit Confidential.
The U.S. housing market continues to weaken and manufacturing activity around the world is slowing. I expect stocks in general to continue to trend lower over at least the next few months.
In regard to significant economic developments in the United States, data released by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) and the U.S. Department of Commerce during the third week of November suggest that economic activity in the country’s housing market will continue to weaken during the months ahead.
Specifically, the National Association of Homebuilders reported on November 19 that its Housing Market Index declined during the first half of November to the lowest level since August 2016. This index reflects recent sales of newly-constructed U.S. homes, homebuilder expectations regarding sales of such homes over the ensuing six months, and recent interest expressed by prospective buyers of new homes.
In addition, the National Association of Realtors reported on November 29 that the number of contracts signed by prospective buyers of previously-owned homes (pending home sales) declined during October to its lowest level since July 2014. The decline suggests that sales of such homes probably continued to trend lower during November.
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Separately, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported on November 20 that initial work on the construction of new, privately owned U.S. homes (new housing starts) declined by 2.9%, while the number of building permits issued for new housing starts declined by 6% during October compared to the same month a year ago.
In addition to the recent weakening in the U.S. housing market, and a likely continuation of that weakening, economic activity in the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy appears to be slowing.
The U.S. Department of Commerce reported on November 21 that new orders for durable goods (i.e. furniture, household appliances and business equipment) placed at U.S. factories declined during October for the second consecutive month, the latest month for which data are available. The measure is falling at the fastest month-to-month pace since July 2017. In addition, Commerce reported on December 6 that new orders for both durable and non-durable goods declined sharply during October.
The recent deterioration in the U.S. housing market and in the manufacturing sector are significant because economic activity in those markets historically has served as a reliable leading economic and stock market indicator.
That’s not surprising considering the fact that the housing market accounts for approximately 15% to 18% of the U.S. total output of goods and services — the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) — while the manufacturing sector accounts for approximately 12% of U.S. GDP.
In significant economic developments, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported on November 21 that new orders for non-defense capital goods, which serve as a proxy for business fixed investments, declined during October for the third consecutive month. That’s a significant negative development because the U.S. economy tends to move in the same direction as business fixed investments, which accounts for approximately 16% of GDP.
Separately, the Federal Reserve reported on November 23 that the year-over-year rate of increase in bank loans slowed for the fourth consecutive month during October, indicating that U.S. businesses and households have become less optimistic about the future direction of the economy. People tend to reduce borrowing during periods when they’re concerned about the future economic environment.
The U.S. unemployment rate, a lagging economic indicator, declined during October to the lowest level since December 1969. However, leading indicators for the U.S. employment market suggests that the country’s employment situation will worsen during the coming months.
For example, The Conference Board reported on October 31 that the number of job advertisements placed by U.S. employers on Internet web sites declined by 267,319 during October.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Labor reported on December 7 that the number of overtime hours worked by manufacturing production employees, which historically has served as a reliable leading economic indicator, declined sharply over the past several months, falling during November to its lowest level since January. Labor reported on November 6 that the number of job openings at U.S. companies declined by 284,000 during September, the latest month for which data are available.
Based on this data, there’s a good chance that U.S. employers will add substantially fewer people to their workforces during the coming months.
Of utmost importance, the after-tax profits of U.S. companies is likely to increase at a substantially lower rate during the coming year than during 2018. In 2018 such increases were due largely to a 40% reduction in the effective corporate tax rate. Going forward, 2019 profits will be computed at the same effective tax rate as during 2018.
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That’s an extremely important and negative factor because the level and direction of stock prices are determined ultimately by the level and direction of their underlying companies’ profits.
As a result of the negative economic and corporate earnings factors and developments mentioned above, I expect U.S. stock prices in general to continue to trend lower over the next few months.
Looking further out, my research indicates that the U.S. economy will not enter into a recession anytime soon and that the country’s pace of economic growth will likely increase during the third or fourth quarter of 2019 after slowing considerably over the next few quarters.


Computer Law & Security Review
Published in November 2021
Abstract:In the context of video game, there is a notable convergence between the users and producers of content. There is also a tension between control over created content and innovative uses of that content, which arises from the gap existed between copyright law and the emerging practices of online communities. This paper examines a distinct form of player-contributed content, namely game Mods, through the perspective of social welfare rather than that of content creators. It argues that law is not the only factor affecting copyright owners’ decision-making behavior; social and economic factors also play an essential role. These factors explain why game developers may tolerate or even encourage minor alterations to their works but prohibit total conversion of the Mods. Given that the existing law and terms of service cannot serve as “effective cure” for regulating game Mods, this paper explores the social and economic factors that impact how game corporations address modding, framing these factors in a four-quadrant model according to the relative benefits and harm of Mods to game developers and users/modders. The inconsistency between the letter of the law and its practical application in the modding context suggests a need for law reform. Based on the findings of the above examinations, this paper proposes a two-pronged solution to the modding problem. The first prong concerns the social benefit of game Mods, aiming at changing the copyright regime from being exclusive to non-exclusive, which confers on gamers the legal right to modify video games without permission but obliges them to remunerate the original developers for commercial use of those Mods. The second prong concerns the potential social harm of game Mods and proposes a community-based approach, under which game operators are imposed a common law duty to monitor infringement and to ensure the fair implementation of game developers’ terms of service. Click here to download the article (until 22 January 2022).


What is a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)?
The Canadian government introduced RRSPs in 1957 as a way for Canadians without employer-sponsored pension plans to save money for retirement. When you add funds to save through an RRSP account, you are making contributions from pre-tax income (meaning the amount of your contribution is deducted from your current income before it is taxed). Your RRSP contributions grow tax-free while they’re in the plan but are taxed on withdrawals. In 2022, the maximum you can contribute to an RRSP is 18% of your earned income to a limit of $29,210.


Particularly in high-stakes cases, where there is pre-existing bias against a party, jury selection is key to a successful outcome. But attorneys often focus on the wrong things. The key to effective voir dire and jury selection is for attorneys to understand the right questions to ask—and how to ask them.
Our approach differs from other trial consultants. We integrate three elements: coaching attorneys on trial-tested voir dire techniques; crafting voir dire scripts and juror questionnaires that are strategically designed to flush out your worst jurors; and, if requested, assisting in court by observing the jury, taking detailed notes on their answers, writing voir dire follow up questions on the fly, and helping argue cause challenges and make strike decisions.
Principal Sarah Murray is an acknowledged expert in jury selection and voir dire; she has coached attorneys nationwide in effective voir dire, including repeat sessions for US Department of Justice attorneys (anti-trust division), and has regularly conducted private voir dire coaching sessions and workshops for both the civil and criminal bar.
When I first started working with you, I had already done maybe 100 jury trials. I was surprised at what I still had to learn about voir dire and jury selection. I’ve used the skills I learned on every case I’ve tried since, to great success—so the value went far beyond what you brought to the cases on which we worked together.”
— Jeff R. Street, Partner, Hodgkinson Street Mepham
For more information, we invite you to read Sarah’s white paper on using jury questionnaires:
“Eliciting Juror Bias under Trial Constraints: Why Open Court Voir Dire Is Often Not Enough.”


Abstract
Mobility change of water molecules in ionic solutions has been a long standing issue in the field of spectroscopy; however, the molecular mechanism is still controversial. To address this issue, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are considered to be useful tools because MD simulations can provide deeper insights into dynamics of water molecules at the atomic level, compensating for the limitation of experimental observations. However, the reliability of these simulations is significant and strongly dependent on the molecular models employed. We examined the reproduction of the dynamics of water molecules under the influence of alkali and halide monovalent ions by using the framework of classical MD simulations. Conventional water models were combined with non-polarizable ion models. The decreased mobility of water molecules was reproduced in our simulations while the increased mobility could not be reproduced. However, from the examined water models, the TIP5P model can be promising to reproduce the experimental results if ion-water interactions are improved.
Keywords Classical molecular dynamics simulation Empirical force field parameter Ionic solution Water model ASJC Scopus subject areas Biochemistry Condensed Matter Physics Physical and Theoretical Chemistry


As SUVs continue to rise in popularity and dominate the automotive market, two distinct classes of SUVs have emerged. Smooth and spacious road-going SUVs and their capable off-road counterparts. While automotive innovation has spurred more capable, off-road SUVs so has the innovation in the comfort of the interior and on-road drivability of off-road SUVs.
This article will review the top ten off-road capable SUVs on the market today and offer insight on which additional features best suit your needs.
2022 Jeep Wrangler
Opening our list is arguably one of the most off-road capable vehicles on the market, offering a vibrant history of off-road ability and performance. Jeep is a name synonymous with off-roading, and they have only bettered their craft over the years. Jeep produces the Wrangler in various body styling formats, including two-door and four-door models with varying trim levels from the base level Sport to the most off-road capable Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Every Jeep Wrangler model is equipped with four-wheel-drive and two solid axles and provides the unique ability to strip off the doors and roof for unrivaled off-road exploration. The Jeep Wrangler provides consumers with 10.9 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 44 degrees, and a departure angle of 37 degrees.
With ground clearance and approach angles deep in the qualifying ranges of off-road capable SUVs, the Jeep Wrangler also offers optional locking differentials front and rear and a two-speed transfer case allowing for optimal off-road low-range gear crawling.
The hard-core Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is outfitted with a bit more off-roading kit than the typical Jeep Wrangler. In addition to the off-road components listed, the Rubicon adds a disconnecting front anti-roll bar and beefy 33-inch BFGoodrich KM all-terrain tires.
2022 Ford Bronco
Ford has revitalized the Ford Bronco as of the 2021 model year. So far, the Bronco has been a massive success, with consumers debating between the Ford Bronco and a Jeep Wrangler. Like the Wrangler, the Ford Bronco is offered in either a two or four-door layout with removable top and doors.
Ford offers a seven-speed manual or automatic transmission in the Bronco. Customers can option 35-inch tires to help them battle through any trail they choose. The 2022 Bronco includes an infotainment system that can download trail maps and navigate them without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Engine options in the Bronco include a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine producing 330 horsepower. For off-road performance, the Bronco is equipped with independent front- and solid-axle rear suspension and a variety of G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrina) modes developed by Ford. Skid plates, locking differentials, sway bar disconnect, and a 94:1 crawl ratio in the manual transmission and 67:1 for the automatic transmission are all standard equipment for the 2022 Ford Bronco.
The Ford Bronco Sport is an easier-going off-road SUV that shares a powertrain with the Ford Escape, utilizing a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower with an optional 245-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder also available. The Ford Bronco Sport has an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) standard.
The Bronco Sport is an excellent option for consumers looking for a daily driver that can handle being a weekend warrior, unlike the Bronco, which is a full-time off-road warrior. In the Badlands trim, the Bronco Sport offers an off-road-worthy ground clearance of 8.8 inches and far superior miles-per-gallon (mpg) than the off-road focused Bronco.
An extreme off-roading example of the Ford Bronco can be found in Hennessey Performance Engineering's 2021 Ford Bronco Veloci Raptor, powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing 750 horsepower.
2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
Toyota creates great off-road capable vehicles by adding their TRD Pro package to multiple base model Toyota SUVs and trucks, consequently generating great off-roading contenders. Example SUVs are the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, Sequoia TRD Pro, and truck models Tacoma and Tundra. The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is equipped with an electronic locking rear differential, 2.5-inch Fox internal-bypass dampers, and thick underbody skid plates protecting the entire underside of the SUV. While the 4Runner does not offer the complete freedom of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, it does have a rear windshield that roles down, a unique option not found in other off-road SUVs.
The 4Runner's front springs are tuned to assist in raising the nose of the SUV an additional one inch, allowing for greater approach angles when encountering off-road obstacles. The 4Runner TRD Pro is equipped with a 4WD drivetrain and an automatic transmission standard but suffers from outdated cabin materials.
While the cabin materials are outdated for its class, the 4Runner provides ample second-row comfort with the ability to add a third row, which for some consumers may supersede the lack of cabin material updates. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, allowing for additional off-road adventure.
2023 Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender re-entered the US market as a 2020 model year, debuting in September 2019, after being prohibited for sale in North America since 1997 due to safety regulations. Staying true to two original body style offerings, Land Rover offers the 2023 Defender in either a 90, a two-door, or a 110, a four-door. While the 90 offers the least cargo space in the luxury midsize SUV class, the 110 provides more than class rivals with a maximum of 78.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded.
The Land Rover Defender is a luxury SUV with a center console refrigerator, cabin air ionization, and a panoramic roof. Still, the Defender is also a real off-road capable machine.
The Defender is Land Rover's most off-road-oriented SUV, a big claim for a company producing solely luxury off-road vehicles. Every trim level of the Defender is equipped with standard 4WD, hill descent control, a two-speed transfer case, and automatic wade sensing technology.
Also standard on the Defender is Land Rover's Terrain Response system, allowing drivers to choose from multiple driving modes such as Grass, Gravel, Snow, Mud, and Ruts; Sand; and off-road enthusiasts' favorites, Rock Crawl; and Wade driving modes. Additional off-road options for the Defender are an active electric differential, off-road tires, and a low-speed off-road cruise control system Land Rover dubbed the All Terrain Progress Control.
The available Terrain Response 2 system is a great off-road package offered for the Defender that, when equipped with optional air suspension, provides the Defender with 11.5 inches of ground clearance and the ability to ford through up to 35.4 inches of water.
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will only be available with a plug-in hybrid system dubbed "4xe" by Jeep. The 4xe system pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine to an electric motor producing 375 horsepower and a fuel-efficient 56 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent).
The off-road capability of the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is not altered, however. Still, if you are seeking a Grand Cherokee Trailhawk with either a V6 or V8 engine, you will have to purchase a 2022 model year or older.
Without altering the off-road capability of the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, Jeep has produced a legitimate off-road plug-in hybrid allowing for adventure while offering a redesign to the powertrain standards of the past off-road SUVs. The Trailhawk is equipped with off-road features such as 11.3 inches of ground clearance, electronic sway-bar disconnects, protective under-plating, and the ability to ford in 24 inches of water are all standard.
2023 Land Rover Range Rover
While Range Rover is known worldwide for its luxurious interior and sophisticated customer base, Land Rover pairs luxury with ability at the base of their vehicle operation, which is evident in the Range Rover. Land Rover builds every Range Rover with adaptive AWD, adjustable air suspension, electronically locking differentials, hill descent control, and a rear-steering system.
The Range Rover is equipped with a two-speed transfer case and an optional twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque for low-range crawling and off-roading power. This powertrain configuration is referred to as P530 with additional powertrains consisting of P400 (base) and P440e (hybrid).
As a luxury off-road SUV, the Land Rover Range Rover is offered in various configurations to suit consumer needs. There are two body styles, two seating layouts, four trims, and three powertrain choices. All are equipped with Land Rover's legendary technologically advanced AWD system.
2022 Lexus LX
The 2022 Lexus LX is based heavily on the Toyota Land Cruiser, as the same company, Toyota, develops them. The Lexus LX is a different type of off-road capable full-size luxury SUV, offering an alternative to BMW and Mercedes-Benz customers.
The Lexus LX is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The LX is outfitted standard with a 4WD drivetrain and a ten-speed automatic transmission but being a large luxury SUV only achieves an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Off-roading specific features include an electronically locking center differential, low-speed gear reduction, and muti-terrain drive modes. The multi-terrain drive modes are Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul, and Loose Rock or Mud. The adaptive suspension can lift or lower the standard 8.9 inches of ground clearance. A unique feature called Crawl Control operates as off-road cruise control, assisting in low speeds and bumpy terrain.
2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The G-Class series from Mercedes-Benz is the gold standard for combining luxury and off-road capability. The bodywork of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is based on the 1979 military G-Wagen; while the outer shell is reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz roots, the 2022 G-Wagen offers a much more refined ride quality and a host of modern technology features.
The 4WD system in the G-class is among the most advanced, offering three driver-adjustable locking differentials. The solid front axle was dropped from the new G-class redesign, but the G-class still provides 9.5 inches of ground clearance. The G-class is also capable of wading through 27.6 inches of water.
The G550 and AMG G63 are the models offered to U.S.-based consumers, both powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower in the G550 model and a tuned 577 horsepower variation for the AMG G63.
With the increased demand for luxury off-road capable vehicles, automakers have produced vehicles with an increased focus on comfort and drive quality. Yet, most automakers utilize Mercedes-Benz as the industry standard for interior comfort and ride quality.
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
You may be accustomed to seeing Z71 badging on Chevy trucks, but the off-road-focused packaging does not only apply to Chevy's pick truck lineup. The Z71 package takes a stock Chevrolet Tahoe and adds 20-inch machined aluminum wheels, tubular side steps, and a front skid plate.
These additional off-roading features are paired with the Tahoe Z71's standard two-speed transfer case, 4WD, and optional air suspension, allowing for a further two inches of ride height, making the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 a great full-size SUV contender.
As a full-size SUV, the 2022 Tahoe Z71 seats between seven and nine people, offering three rows of seating and adequate space and comfort for all passengers. Powered by a 355 horsepower engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 achieves among the best fuel economy estimates in the large SUV class.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 competes directly against other full-size SUV offerings from other vehicle manufators such as the Nissan Armada and the Ford Expedition. If you have a large family or friends that enjoy back-country driving, the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 may be the off-road SUV you have been looking for.
2022 GMC Yukon AT4
A second GM off-road-focused SUV is on our list, this time in a large SUV format. The GMC Yukon AT4 (All-Terrian 4WD) offers a premium off-road experience compared to the less luxurious Chevrolet Tahoe Z71. Boasting bright red recovery rings and a visible front skid plate, the GMC Yukon AT4 is GM's ultimate off-road large SUV.
Under the hood of the GMC Yukon AT4 is two engine options, a standard 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383-pound feet of torque and a more off-road ideal 6.2-liter Ecotec3 producing 420 horsepower and 480-pound feet of torque.
Either engine pairs with a ten-speed automatic transmission, an Auto Trac two-speed transfer case, an electronic limited-slip differential, and an additional two inches of ground clearance over the standard GMC Yukon. The Yukon AT4 utilizes a four-corner air-ride suspension, allowing for a 32-inch approach angle.
For further off-road ability, GM equipped the Yukon AT4 with magnetic ride control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, traction select system, and hill descent control.
When searching for an off-road-oriented SUV, there are features consumers should seek above others, this article covers aspects consumers should consider before purchase.
Final Thoughts:
Gone are the days of compromising interior comfort and amenities for the durability of a capable off-road SUV. The sheer amount of viable options in the off-road SUV market can be encouraging. Still, finding the proper off-road SUV to suit your needs can also make the challenge greater.
In determining the best off-roading SUVs, this article considers the aspects that make any vehicle better in off-roading conditions. Typically consumers seeking an off-road SUV will want to find an SUV that offers a minimum of eight inches of ground clearance, a four-wheel-drive system (4WD), optional off-roading tires paired with smaller wheel sizes, off-road-tuned shocks, and unique bumpers designed to optimize approach and departure angles.
Consumers should also be aware of the additional equipment offered by various automotive manufacturers that can improve the off-road capability of their chosen SUV. Some off-roading SUVs are more equipped than others, even in the same automotive category, making the most off-road capable SUV in some situations the most heavily equipped.
Additional equipment to look for while shopping for an off-roading SUV are skid plates, locking rear and front differential, tow hooks, crawl control, sway bar disconnect, hill descent control, and a limited-slip differential. While some of these off-roading features may be familiar to you as a consumer, some may not.


How to execute a Business Intelligence System Strategy in 2022?
Data has become more important than ever. Today, every business thrives on data solutions and analytics to serve their customers and grow in this dynamic environment.
Business Intelligence systems have gained much traction as Internet companies continue to collect customer data. While many see this as an intervention in their privacy, gathering and processing permissible data can provide excellent results to businesses.
But working with data requires a comprehensive business intelligence strategy. It is essential for bi solutions to achieve compliance with government policies and regulations. The strategy outlines the roles and responsibilities of each individual and the impact of the insights achieved from a business intelligence system.
Every organization needs to identify the outcomes of their business intelligence strategy. Every result should be summarized in a comprehensive report which is based on functions like data mining, analytical event processing, business performance management, predictive analytics, benchmarking, amongst several others. Companies can utilize specific business intelligence tools for each function or get a centralized tool to achieve maximum functional capabilities.
In this article, we will highlight how to execute a business intelligence strategy in 2020 to achieve maximum business results.
BI System Strategy: Execution Blueprint
Enterprise data management is one of the primary factors in business intelligence. It helps in generating internal insights that can drive improvements in the business. Business Intelligence is directly related to enhancing performance and creating more growth-oriented solutions.
Executing bi solutions strategy requires outlining the goals, people responsible, and outcomes that determine the changes to be made. Data must be processed through functional activities that deliver accurate outcomes in less amount of time. Here’s what you should consider while executing your business intelligence solutions strategy –
Create a Comprehensive data & Analytics Plan The primary step is to build a data & analytics plan to achieve the desired business outcome. Any business intelligence system is based on tracking, monitoring, and reporting. You need to ask what analytics you want to utilize for making the decision. The business intelligence team must determine the specific KPIs which will provide a complete track of the process and its performance. There can be company-specific metrics, industry-specific metrics, competition-specific metrics, etc., based on your outcome requirement. During analytics, it is essential to use historical data for tracking business performance over a period of time. One thing that often goes unnoticed is identifying the key clients of bi solutions. Always have a clear view of who are the users of your BI outcomes so that working with data becomes a little easier. Build a Responsible BI Team Business Intelligence is no easy task. It requires a responsible team ready to adapt to different roles if they need to do so. It is not a matter of having people to finish BI tasks, but rather a matter of whether they have the skills or not. Every comprehensive business intelligence system strategy requires a BI head who will execute the strategy, BI developers who will build data systems and work with them, business analysts who will process and summarize data for insights, DBA for managing databases, and data scientists to generate actionable insights. It is important to have a dedicated BI team otherwise, it becomes challenging for existing employees to manage their tasks, and the results of bi solutions will not be satisfactory. It helps to have someone from the top management overlooking the entire BI infrastructure. Identify your Data Sources & BI Tools Data forms the core of business intelligence solutions. It is vital to identify your data sources and what purpose each data fulfills. You can have core data(which comes directly from mobile apps, websites), secondary data(which comes from CRM), and external data(which comes from external sentiments). The BI team must also figure out the tools to be used in the process. Qlikview, Talend, PowerBI, are a few tools that have proven to deliver actionable insights for better outcomes. Every business intelligence tool serves a different purpose. By identifying the outcome at the initial stage, you can know which is the right tool to use. Data Processing and Insight Generation The final step is to process the data and generate possible insights. It involves designing the process and working with a data warehouse to identify areas where action should be taken. It helps to determine how well your processes are working, where are the changes required, and enables making strategic decisions. Data warehouse includes schema design, database size, scaling, concurrency, and cloud or on-stage premise storage. By aligning these factors, organizations can achieve valuable outcomes from their business intelligence system. Read our CASESTUDY on Hotel Reservation Management System Project Should you hire a Business Intelligence Team for Your Organization?
Unless you have a team to implement business intelligence solutions, the outcomes you want to achieve might not be possible. Work management becomes challenging with BI and operational tasks carried out by the same employees.
If you want to make sense of your gathered data, we can help. BoTree Technologies has a team of business intelligence leaders that have experience in implementing bi strategies with the most advanced business intelligence tools. Drop us a mail to discuss your BI requirements.
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Ellen Dee ’22, Alexandria, Minn. Major: Accounting Please tell us about yourself.
I am currently a junior at Concordia, majoring in accounting with a concentration in public accounting. I’m from Alexandria, Minn., and I currently work as a student ambassador at the Office of Admission.
Why did you choose Concordia?
I decided to attend Concordia because it was the only college I could see myself at while visiting campus. I did tour other campuses during my junior and senior years of high school, but Concordia left a more positive impression. While walking around, I saw that students throughout campus seemed very engaged and the campus had a positive community atmosphere. My older brother also attended Concordia and enjoyed his time here, so I think that influenced my decision.
How did you decide on your major?
I began my first year of college very unsure about the specific major I wanted to pursue. I initially took a variety of classes and quickly realized that some were not for me. In the spring of my freshman year, I decided to enroll in an introductory accounting course. The material really clicked with me and I became interested in the topics discussed in class. My instructor for the course, Professor Lindemann, positively impacted my decision to continue pursuing accounting in the Offutt School of Business.
What has been your favorite course so far and why?
My favorite courses so far have been financial, managerial, and tax accounting. After completing the coursework, I felt confident I had gained a solid foundation in the various core accounting concepts. The accounting professors presented materials very effectively and expanded our knowledge through group projects, interactive activities, and discussion.
Please tell us about your Pivotal Experience in Applied Knowledge (PEAK) and how you learned about that opportunity.
My PEAK consisted of four nights volunteering with my classmates to help individuals with their tax returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Once we completed the returns, Professor Twedt reviewed them for accuracy and we were able to process the taxpayer's return. I initially learned about this PEAK through my Tax Accounting II course. Professor Twedt introduced the idea to the class, and I realized it would be an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and help individuals in the community complete their returns.
What motivated you to participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program?
What motivated me most to participate in VITA was the experience I would gain using the tax software and working with taxpayers. Participating in this PEAK opportunity provided me with valuable insight into this segment of the accounting profession.
What are you most proud of from your experience in the VITA program?
Being able to say that I have filed tax returns confidently, helped solve taxpayer conflict, and learned valuable new information regarding tax preparation.
What challenges did you face during your PEAK?
One of the biggest challenges I faced during this experience was working with TaxSlayer software for the first time. While the class had access to various practice labs for the software, performing the tax preparation in person presented a more challenging situation.
How did that experience prepare you for your career goals?
This PEAK experience provided me with a valuable understanding of working with taxpayers and preparing tax returns. The opportunity to work with individuals in a real-world setting is always invaluable. This was especially true this year with all of the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are your interests outside of academics?
I like spending time with family and friends. I especially enjoy summertime spent boating on the lakes and camping. Traveling and shopping are some of my other favorite activities.
What do you enjoy about living in the Fargo-Moorhead area?
I enjoy the variety of stores and restaurants that are in the Fargo-Moorhead area. It has a small town feel yet has many of the shopping, eating, and entertainment amenities enjoyed by larger metro areas.
What do you value most about your Cobber experience?
The guidance I’ve received from my professors and my relationships with classmates and faculty on campus.
What advice would you give to a student considering Concordia?
Students considering Concordia should be conscious of the credit load they take during their first semester. The college transition does take time, regardless of how prepared you think you are. It is better to set yourself up for success rather than feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Also, remember to save time for some fun with friends.
Published April 2021


Miraculous Mundane: The True Jesus Church and Chinese Christianity in the Twentieth Century Abstract (summary)
This dissertation centers on the history of the "miraculous mundane": the worldview within the True Jesus Church, informed by its exclusivist claims and an emphasis on literal Biblical adherence, in which supernatural efficacy is a central aspect of ordinary believers' lived religious experiences.
At the time of the church's founding in 1917, the visions and miracles attributed to the church's early leaders provided the basis for the divine authority claimed by the True Jesus Church as its members sought to overturn existing ecclesiastical hierarchies. Influenced by the transnational Pentecostal movement, the church's emphasis on the miraculous mode of Christianity allowed Chinese Christians within the True Jesus Church to engage directly with the Bible and to assert superior spiritual authority over well-established rival denominations.
This miraculous mode of Christianity is not unique to the True Jesus Church but is also a central feature of the history of Chinese Christianity. While previous studies of the significance of supernatural efficacy in Chinese Christianity have rightly called attention to "congruence" with Chinese popular religious practices, this study contributes an in-depth consideration of the church's transnational Pentecostal influences and believers' experience of Christianity on their own terms.
During the Republican era (1912–1949), the miraculous mundane worldview was especially significant in disrupting traditional hierarchies within the world of Chinese Christianity, giving native churches the opportunity to claim greater legitimacy than Western denominations and giving women the opportunity to exercise spiritual authority usually reserved for men.
Throughout the Maoist era (1949–1976), the miraculous mundane worldview persisted within the True Jesus Church at the grassroots level long after the church's institutional structures had been co-opted or eliminated by the party-state.
The historical centrality of this miraculous mode and its compatibility with grassroots practice helps to account for the robust resurgence of miraculous worldviews in contemporary Chinese Christianity.
Indexing (details)
History;
Asian history;
Asian studies
0332: Asian History
0342: Asian Studies
0578: History


Understanding your net worth statement
Taking it in its simplest terms, your net worth is the equivalent of all your assets minus all of your liabilities, or debts. While it sounds simple, not all your assets are equal. Liquid assets, for instance, is defined as assets that can be readily be converted to cash. At first glance, bonds and stocks may appear to be liquid, but often due to maturity dates or current market conditions, they may not be equal to their presumed face value. The same holds true for items of worth, such as jewels, which may be given a certain value on paper, but its resale value would be less. As a result, one should never assume a stated value is what they will fetch in the open market. Debts are the sum total of what you owe creditors and loan entities. It constitutes the residual amount owed on your mortgage, for example. Understanding your net worth is a good place to start when planning for your financial future.


Beauty Benefit:Gut Support What it is:A proprietary blend of 18 enzymes to support a flatter stomach and healthy digestion. What it tastes like:No flavor How to use:Take one Flatter Me capsule before your two main meals Dosage:Two capsules per day When to expect results:Day one What Else You Need to Know:Designed around your diet, this comprehensive proprietary enzyme blend supports all major phases of nutrient digestion. Flatter Me is formulated to optimize protein, carb, fiber and fat breakdown, and to help with nutrient absorption, and relief from indigestion and bloating. Clinical Results:Hum Nutrition's research has identified the strong correlation between weight and indigestion. The formulation for Flatter Me is based on findings regarding food and drink choices, as well as key wellness habits including smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and the use of nutritional supplements. Of the 6226 women surveyed:
- 64% reported unbalanced digestion
- 79% expressed the desire to lose weight
- 72% already take dietary supplements.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


In the fall of 2016, the Office of Equity (OE) launched the first
Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey for the CU Denver and CU Anschutz campuses. This confidential survey sought to help us better understand the extent and effects sexual misconduct has in our community.
The survey, the first of its kind for our community, was sent to more than 30,000 students, faculty and staff. The overall response rate was 16%, representing 1,179 undergraduates, 1,296 graduate students, and 2,616 faculty/staff/affiliates.
Survey findings indicate that 14.9% of students and 9.6% of faculty/staff/affiliates who responded experienced at least one of the five types of sexual misconduct researched
(sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking), either on/off campus, since joining CU Denver | CU Anschutz. Findings show that 6.8% of all students and 1.6% of faculty/staff/affiliates experienced sexual assault on/off campus since joining the university. These rates are consistent with or lower than national rates of sexual misconduct and sexual assault, although direct comparisons are difficult due to differences in survey questions, populations, and definitions used. For instance, CU Denver | CU Anschutz is one of very few universities to include faculty and staff in its survey. While our estimates are consistent with or lower than others, we recognize that any amount of sexual misconduct is too much, and as a university, we are strongly dedicated to ending it.
Results also indicate that 40% of all students
(36% of graduate students, and 43% of undergraduate students) report understanding the University’s formal procedure for reporting sexual misconduct. 50% of CU Anschutz faculty/staff/affiliates, and 70% of CU Denver faculty/staff/affiliates reported understanding the University’s formal procedure for reporting sexual misconduct.
Please contact William Dewese, Director of Equity, via email at william.dewese@cuanschutz.edu or via phone at 303.315.0120.


From Sustainable Conservation – Sustainable Conservation Water for the Future Program Director Aysha Massell moderated an excellent panel of climate experts, including the Honorable Ron Goode, Chairman of the North Fork Mono Tribe; Julie Rentner, President of River Partners; and Dr. Daniel Mountjoy, Director of Resource Stewardship at Sustainable Conservation. California’s climate extremes are fueling what feels like a never-ending cycle of flood, drought, and fire across our entire state. These conditions aren’t anything new in our long ecological history, but their intensity is. How can we adapt to these new realities of climate change? (more)


Sports injuries reflect the wear and tear of a diverse range of activities on a similarly diverse set of body types, via problematic pain, inflammations, strains, sprains and other afflictions. They often stand between people and their favorite activities, with sufferers eager to get back to the sport they love ASAP.
Driven by the demands of professional athletes, sports medicine is a field where innovation flourishes. Compounded prescriptions are often the best delivery mechanisms for a range of medications that can be combined to provide optimized relief from sports injuries.
Commercially available products often come in a limited variety of strengths. Working closely with both the athlete and a healthcare provider, a compounding pharmacist can offer individualized treatment, calibrating medication strength, looking at the optimal delivery system (such as topical creams, transdermal gels or solutions that may not be commercially available), and utilizing other customization options to deliver the best sports medicine solution.


Animation can be a valuable tool for your marketing in numerous ways. Here, we list the top benefits of
animation in marketing for extensive branding, messaging, and storytelling.
Animated explainer videos are a powerful way to convey an idea or value proposition to potential new customers who may need help deciphering difficult-to-understand information or concepts. They provide both branding and messaging power with their visually appealing style. This is particularly effective when combined with textual content such as text descriptions, subtitles, and voiceovers that allow the user to take in multiple levels of meaning simultaneously.
Animated explainer videos allow users to envision themselves using your product or service in their daily lives. They make your product more relatable, showing real people utilizing the item in everyday situations rather than staged or fictional scenarios. This is a unique benefit for those creating videos for less-familiar products or ones with niche audiences.
The ability to visually and verbally demonstrate how your product works is an integral component of a compelling explainer video. This allows users to understand all your features quickly and helps them visualize themselves using the product or service. This visual demonstration of the product can further boost its marketing power by giving users more of a personal connection.
Animated explainer videos help provide a behind-the-scenes look into your company and background information about your brand, including its history and founders. They can provide additional value beyond just communicating about the product or service by helping viewers envision what life would be like when using or working for your company. These videos are commonly used to showcase corporate branding, convey employee culture, and communicate mission and values.
The more emotions a potential customer can connect with, the more likely they will buy your product or service. Animations can effectively evoke those feelings of intimacy and trust because they allow you to present genuine, human emotion within a product or service that can seem cold or clinical in text-only form.
Animated explainer videos use visual storytelling techniques that play an integral role in drawing viewers in and keeping their attention. Optical storytelling techniques can enrich your messages by providing details on the characters and setting you to describe. This helps viewers develop a more personal connection to what you’re saying, making them more sympathetic toward your ideas and more likely to convert into buyers and brand ambassadors.
Humor is an effective way to connect with viewers on a personal level by acknowledging common human experiences. While it can be challenging to do effectively, humor can be a valuable tool when used correctly. An animated explainer video allows you to include jokes and other lighthearted moments within the content without distracting or breaking the flow of the message.


Hi! This is Jennie Straub. I’m the Client Services and Outreach Specialist for Pregnancy Resources at Cornerstone in Gap, and I’m glad to share a story with you as your guest host for today.
Heather was stunned when she took a home pregnancy test and it was positive. In disbelief, she took another test. It was positive again. Heather was in her 40’s and the baby’s father, Isaiah, was in his 50’s. Heather had grown children and a grandchild. Isaiah didn’t have any biological children and believed he couldn’t be part of conceiving one. Overwhelmed at the prospect of starting over with a newborn, they weren’t sure what they would do and were vulnerable to choosing abortion.
Heather had passed by Cornerstone many times and decided to call and schedule an appointment. We offered her an ultrasound, which she and Isaiah attended together. When they saw their pre-born child and the steady beating heart on the ultrasound monitor, they knew they wanted to choose life for their baby. They became excited for this new season of life.
Heather said, “
I need a reboot on motherhood.” She and Isaiah decided to participate in our Healthy Choices Incentive Program, which provides lessons on things like the stages of pregnancy, nutrition, and infant first aid. Through the program, they earned coupons toward purchasing needed items for their baby – like an infant car seat. Heather and Isaiah eventually welcomed a healthy baby boy into their family. They continue to participate in parenting classes with us at Cornerstone. Isaiah says we feel like family to him.
Psalm 68:6 says,
“God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.” *We are blessed each time we see God strengthen families and bring them joy through their journey.


Spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, is often used as a nutritional supplement and traditionally as a source of food. It’s rich in various micronutrients and potentially beneficial antioxidant compounds like c-phycocyanin.
In one study, c-phycocyanin was found to significantly reduce inflammation in rats.
Inflammation is one cause of pain and is often involved in various conditions including Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, and more.
This isn’t the first study where spirulina was found to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Other studies have shown that spirulina may have a potentially strong therapeutic effect.


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The report includes a rationale for addressing thriving, equity, and development together; exploration of a way to create more powerful definitions to drive systems change efforts; and a deep dive into the dimensions that contribute to individual and collective thriving.
This resource provides a review of tools that programs can use to measure youth outcomes. The outcomes selected include communication, relationships and collaboration, critical thinking and decision-making, initiative, and self-direction. The review includes cost and evidence of reliability and validity.
This executive summary reports on a three-year study of Youth Program Quality Improvement in 87 sites in four states that included quality assessment, improvement plans, coaching by managers, and staff training. The approach led to higher quality instructions across programs even where there was manager turnover, low staff education, and varying adult-youth ratios.
This report discusses the components of strong continuous quality improvement systems, emphasizing ways to safeguard and sustain such systems. It shares lessons learned from afterschool quality system leaders who took part in a multi-year Wallace-funded initiative for cities.


KARACHI: During the previous six months, foreign investors withdrew $660 million from Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPC), adding to the country’s already dire situation of declining foreign exchange reserves.
Even if the nation hasn’t yet made a payment on its external commitments and is on schedule with all of its international debt, the withdrawal demonstrates the rising trust gap in the nation’s ability to make payments.
The issue has only gotten worse due to the precarious position of foreign exchange reserves, limited economic expansion, and increased default risk rumours. Independent economists and professionals in the financial markets have been expressing concern that the economy is suffering greatly from the protracted political instability.
According to the most recent information provided by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign investment in NPC increased steadily up until March of this year. However, the uncertainty caused by the change in government in April caused a decline in inflows, which fell to just $763 million on September 30 from $1.423 billion on March 31 and a $660 million outflow.
Since April, investments have decreased by almost half, at $763 million.
The data also reveals that on September 30, 2021, the total investment in NPC was $1.178 billion, and by December 31, 2021, it had grown to $1.338 billion. In March of this year, it rose further to $1.423 billion, but it then started to decline once more and in September, it only reached $763 million.
After being shocked by outflows of such investments (approximately $3.5 billion) in domestic bonds including treasury bills and Pakistan Investment Bonds, the government introduced Roshan Digital Account (RDA) in September 2020 to attract foreign investors (PIBs). The rapid exodus occurred shortly after Covid-19’s appearance in March 2020. The country’s external accounts were severely impacted, and the global economy was also suffering as a result of the pandemic.
By the end of October of this year, RDA, which also provides NPCs, had been successful in attracting roughly $5.295 billion since its launch, including $3.344 billion for NPCs. However, the foreign investment was decreased to its lowest amount of $763m due to NPC withdrawals and maturities.
The reason for this rising lack of trust among foreign investors, primarily expatriate Pakistanis, is domestic economic activity. According to recent reports, the IMF has postponed negotiations.
due to a growing budget deficit and poor tax collections. The market was already under stress from a lack of dollars when the reports were released.
Exports did not exhibit a growing trend during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, despite the fact that the current account deficit decreased. The purchasing power of consumers is falling, and the developed economies are also experiencing a situation similar to a recession. Pakistan mostly exports textile manufactured goods, primarily to Europe and the United States.
The Sukuk bonds must also get another sizable payment of $1 billion by December 5 of current year. Pakistan will make the payment, the finance minister repeatedly reaffirmed. The renewal of Chinese loans, however, raises more serious issues. The finance ministry has still not issued a clear declaration regarding the refinancing of these loans.


The AHRQ PSNet Collection comprises an extensive selection of resources relevant to the patient safety community. These resources come in a variety of formats, including literature, research, tools, and Web sites. Resources are identified using the National Library of Medicine’s Medline database, various news and content aggregators, and the expertise of the AHRQ PSNet editorial and technical teams.
Combs CA, Goffman D, Pettker CM. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022;226:b2-b9.
Readmission reduction as an improvement measure has been found to be problematic as a maternal safety outcome. This statement shares concerns regarding incentivizing hospitalization reductions after birth and explores the potential for patient harm due to pressures to reduce readmissions when needed.
The medication-use process is highly complex with many steps and risk points for error, and those errors are a key target for improving safety. This Library reflects a curated selection of PSNet content focused on medication and drug errors. Included resources explore understanding harms from preventable medication use, medication safety...
Ensuring maternal safety is a patient safety priority. This library reflects a curated selection of PSNet content focused on improving maternal safety. Included resources explore strategies with the potential to improve maternal care delivery and outcomes, such as high reliability, care standardization,teamwork, unit-based safety initiatives, and...
Potential deterioration of older surgeons' technical performance is a patient safety concern. This guidance developed from a Society of Surgical Chairs panel discussion puts forth several steps to manage the transition of aging surgeons. Recommendations include mandatory cognitive and psychomotor testing for surgeons age 65 and older, respectful consideration of the financial and emotional concerns of aging surgeons, and lifelong mentoring around the transition from clinical to nonclinical roles. The authors anticipate that such initiatives will prompt thoughtful support for aging surgeons that ensures patient safety. In an accompanying editorial, an older physician supports mandatory testing and suggests individual-level steps to address aging as a surgeon, including healthy lifestyle and financial habits.
Lefebvre G, Calder LA, De Gorter R, et al. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2019;41:653-659.
Obstetrics is a high-risk practice that concurrently manages the safety of mothers and newborns. This commentary describes the importance of standardization, checklist use, auditing and feedback, peer coaching, and interdisciplinary communication as strategies to reduce risks. The discussion spotlights the need for national guidelines and definitions to reduce variation in auditing and training activities and calls for heightened engagement of health care professionals to improve the safety and quality of obstetric care in Canada. An Annual Perspective reviewed work on improving maternal safety.
Improvement C on PS and Q, Management C on P. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125:282-3.
Despite improvements associated with health information technology (IT), consistently safe use has been difficult to achieve. This guideline describes the benefits and challenges associated with various components of health IT and suggests that enhanced interoperability and mandatory reporting for health IT errors are needed to improve safety.
The practice of live surgical procedures for educational purposes presents safety concerns for patients. This policy statement details organizational requirements and provides a checklist to help ensure that these events are conducted safely.
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Samenvatting
Modulation of Wnt signaling has untapped potential in regenerative medicine due to its essential functions in stem cell homeostasis. However, Wnt lipidation and Wnt-Frizzled (Fzd) cross-reactivity have hindered translational Wnt applications. Here, we designed and engineered water-soluble, Fzd subtype-specific "next-generation surrogate" (NGS) Wnts that hetero-dimerize Fzd and Lrp6. NGS Wnt supports long-term expansion of multiple different types of organoids, including kidney, colon, hepatocyte, ovarian, and breast. NGS Wnts are superior to Wnt3a conditioned media in organoid expansion and single-cell organoid outgrowth. Administration of Fzd subtype-specific NGS Wnt in vivo reveals that adult intestinal crypt proliferation can be promoted by agonism of Fzd5 and/or Fzd8 receptors, while a broad spectrum of Fzd receptors can induce liver zonation. Thus, NGS Wnts offer a unified organoid expansion protocol and a laboratory "tool kit" for dissecting the functions of Fzd subtypes in stem cell biology.


The Global Halal Cosmetics and Personal Care market research report offers a comprehensive analysis of the halal cosmetics and personal care industry across APAC, MEA, Europe and the Americas. The report also examines the competitive landscape, regulatory scenario and key industry trends. Its research highlights key market drivers and restraints. In addition to regional and global market statistics, the report also provides an in-depth analysis of the various key vendors operating in the halal cosmetics and personal care industry.
In the APAC region, the halal cosmetics and personal care market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.3% from 2014 to 2018.
The region is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period, driven by rising demand for halal products and certification. Major Asian markets such as India are expected to witness rapid growth and a significant percentage of the population is Muslim. Meanwhile, prospective brands are likely to focus on expanding into Asian markets to increase their market share.
In Asia, Indonesia’s Wardah Beauty Cosmetics and Malaysia’s Inez Cosmetics are leading the way in the halal personal care market. The Indonesian market is a hotspot for halal products, and in Asia, the demand for halal cosmetics is growing rapidly. In the U.S., there are many large companies, including YSI and PHD, and the global market is growing fast.
As the Muslim population continues to grow, the demand for halal certified cosmetics is expected to increase. While the market is currently unregulated in APAC, rising demand will lead to the formation of accreditation bodies that will monitor the quality and production practices. The adoption of supply chain management systems will also help in increasing profitability in the APAC region. This is an important development for the industry.
The global halal cosmetics market is expected to grow at a 13% CAGR during the forecast period.
The fast growth of the Muslim population in the APAC region is a significant driver of this growth. As a result, halal cosmetics will be widely accepted in non-Muslim countries. The APAC and MEA regions are the major markets for halal cosmetics.
In addition to the halal cosmetics and personal care market, the Middle East and South America will continue to experience growth. Although these regions represent a small share of the global market, they are expected to grow rapidly over the next few years. In Africa, the market is especially attractive because of rising awareness about the health effects of synthetic ingredients. Although the market in South America is relatively small, key players in this region are facing challenges in their business operations. For instance, the Kao Corporation, a key international player, saw its revenue in 2020 decline by 8% due to the closure of its store-based distribution channels. Nevertheless, Kao has been able to sustain sales in its global region by leveraging its online supply chain advantages.


The aim of the group is, while using an interdisciplinary approach, to:
a) identify legal reasoning and argumentation techniques that could be adapted to enrich business intelligence (BI) research and b) identify and adapt statistical methods used by BI researchers that could bring a valuable input for legal reasoning and interpretation.
At its core, BI is based on analyzing empirical data to provide essential information and support making reasonable business decisions. To achieve this, it developed a vast selection of methods for acquiring, transforming, and testing the data to verify certain hypotheses. Therefore, the achieved conclusions have a firm empirical basis. However, to set the conclusions in a wider context (‘the big picture’) and to form a new hypothesis, BI researchers could utilize reasoning and argumentation techniques developed by jurists and legal scholars.
On the other hand, the law (as an area of research) and legal scholars focus mainly on interpreting legal texts, reasoning and forming conclusions that support the presented point of view. Unfortunately, the research is usually disconnected from wider sets of empirical data and proper statistical analysis. Therefore, the significance of the research is often judged by the rhetorical and argumentation skills of the legal scholar instead of the credible interpretation of empirical facts.


A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found evidence for racial/ethnic disparities in buprenorphine distribution across the United States.
Resources and Tools Case Study Toolkit Toolkit Publication/Report Toolkit Publication/Report Companion Guide Publication/Report Publication/Report
Clinicians can now access up-to-date evidence-based office-based addiction treatment recommendations for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) on a smartphone app.
This policy brief identified states potentially at risk for an HIV or HCV outbreak and used data from multiple sources to examine rural-urban differences in 1) state-level infectious disease surveillance, prevention activities, and collaboration with stakeholders; 2) local health department-level
Syringe Services Programs: A Technical Package of Effective Strategies and Approaches for Planning, Design and Implementation
This technical package, a collaborative effort between CDC and NASTAD, provides a broad framework as well as evidence-informed strategies and approaches to support the planning, design, implementation, and sustainability of new and existing syringe services programs (SSPs).


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